Happy Chinese New Year – Year of the Rooster
(4,703)

Dear Friends,

Happy Chinese New Year!

February
9, 2005 will usher in the year of the Green Rooster. It is Year 4,703
since the beginning of the Yellow Emperor’s reign. The year of the
Rooster follows on the heel of the Monkey year. Let’s take a moment and
reflect back on my last year’s forecast and see how we did for 2004. I
predicted that the Monkey year, because of the metal and wood energetic
conflicts, would be filled with clashes, constant changes and
unpredictability. We saw continued clashes both abroad in Iraq and at
home with the presidential election. I predicted that the economy would
see an up tick. The Economy grew by an estimated 3% and both the stock
and real estate markets finished strong at year-end. I cautioned to
watch out for diseases of the nervous and cardiovascular systems and
gave advice on taking preventive care of these systems. Many patients
have voiced their thanks throughout the year because they have had to
contend with these very problems.

So what is in store for the
Year of the Green Rooster in 2005? Firstly, it’s “green” to represent
the color corresponding to the year’s energetic element of Wood.
Generally, the “cocky” nature of the rooster arouses us from the
suspicious and pessimistic Monkey year and brings a great sense of
confident optimism and cheerfulness. Similar to last year, the elements
of wood and metal are again present, except that the conflicts are more
show and less substance, therefore the hope for compromise and
resolution is increased. However, the rooster can’t help himself in
being argumentative and provocative still. The year will bring more
order and organization, and the emphasis will be on appearance and
presentation. Entertainment, fashion and glamour will be hot. Be on the
look out for more “Apprentice” style, strong-personality reality show
crowding the airwaves.

On the business front, this
will be a year of deal making as corporations go on a merger and
acquisition binge, emboldened by the cash-hordes built up over the last
several years and the improving economy. Speculative fervor will return,
influenced by the optimistic rooster, though it will not be as indulgent
as the late 90’s. Industries that will benefit from the year of the
rooster include: real estate, commodities, energy, transportation,
travel and health care.

On the personal health front,
people are more prone to developing problems of the spine such as neck
and back pain as well as neurological diseases such as MS, Parkinson’s
and neuropathy. Furthermore, look out for liver, gall bladder and
respiratory diseases. It would be very appropriate to follow my advice
from last year as both 2004 and 2005 share similar elemental energetic
of metal and wood.

You should also undertake a
regular exercise program that includes stretching and strengthening of
the spine such as
Dao-In,
Eight Treasures
or Yoga. A daily relaxation
and stress management practice is also important to support your nervous
system such as practicing
Stress Release Meditation
or
Five Clouds
Meditation. Seek treatment at the earliest opportunity when confronted
with any of the conditions mentioned above to prevent unnecessary
exacerbation and magnifying your illness.

Finally, the best way to
benefit and avoid the pitfalls in the Year of the Green Rooster is to
avoid speculation, temper your ego, do the homework and get to the truth
beneath all the glamour and show, minimize confrontations, keep good
posture, stay calm, eat well, cleanse your liver, boost your immune and
respiratory systems, smile a lot and move forward with your endeavors
with confidence and poise. Don’t forget to stay flexible and adapt to
all changes. You will find that success is within your grasp.